757HI

Howdy all,

I fly for US and I have a friend who's son is interested in being an airline pilot.

He's 20, has a young daughter so money is always a factor, is a certified auto mechanic and makes an okay living, but raises his daughter alone as the mother is a loser.

I'm out of the loop, so I'm asking here for advice.

He prefers an online education for the flexibility.

How would the collective think he should proceed?

Thanks all!

CRM114

So he's looking for an inexpensive online pilot training course that allows schedule flexibility so that he can stay home and raise his kid? What happens when he gets that first job at a regional flying 14 hour duty days out of BFE for pennies. Is that the point he rolls over and lets the girl's "loser" mother take over?

It sounds like he can answer the greater calling of being a dad, or he could be a pilot, but from what you described, he can't do both. The pipe dream of a cheap online pilot training course doesn't exist.

ASI211

If you are talking strictly on getting a college degree, look to see if there is a military base within driving distance. Many bases offer college classes and degree programs to civilians for Embry Riddle and other educational programs. Often the classes are less expensive, offered at night, and are accelerated. Its a great often overlooked option..

web500sjc

Thanks for the encouragement

Back to the question.

It won't be cheap, or easy - but you can do some of the ground stuff online if you pick a 141 program. I believe Cessna has a good online accompaniment. I think it is around $350

The hours will have to be done in an airplane, which is not cheap, and you can't get anyone else to pay for the time until you have a commercial. If you want to save money, you must do the prep work ahead of time and learn the maneuvers yourself. After that you can work on getting a CFI so that some can pay you to train them, because there aren't many low time jobs outside of instructing.

All in all it is expensive and you can't get hired by a regional until you have at least 1000 hours- probably 1500 hours in your friends case. It will take someone at least 2-4 years to get there, and then you have to deal with the regional life style.

The other option is the military- that is an 8 year commitment and you have to have a college (Bachelor?) degree if you want to be a pilot.

If your willing to put the time and money into the truing go for it, but its going to be very hard in your friends position.

I feel depressed just writing that

Aviator89

Online degrees from ERAU arent over priced. Quite enjoyable actually. Very flexible. Only had one class that wanted stuff due at a certain time during the week. Every other class just required the assignments to be done by the end of each week. 8-9 weeks was a "term", so if you took 3 classes a term, you can really knock out the degree quick. But that would be darn near 50 hours a week of work I expect.
At least compared to say a state school, UW madison, U of M, ohio etc. its a bit cheaper (no need for overpriced housing, and other crazy fees) I believe they were 330 a credit hour so last month. 330 x 120=39,600 for a full degree. (Flight training being 50k or so, but at least that "double dips" and knocks some credit hours off if he wants a degree) If he does his flight training elsewhere and wants a degree in aeronautical science they give you 36 credits or so for having a commercial,ME,CFI. But in hindsight, that degree is basically useless on its own. Wish I did something different. Still can if i want, just need to do another 30-40 credits to make it a double major, BS aeronautical sciences and something else. But having a 4 year degree with a high gpa still looks good at an interview. But I added a minor in management, just for a bit more shine. No extra classes needed, I believe my electives just had to be changed a bit to focus on management.

If he understands the time away from home he will spend, and can find a way around it. An airline or at least some type of pilot job could work. Not having the mother around makes that very difficult, but if he truly would be happy as a pilot it can work. Is there family in the area that can look after the child while he is on duty? What about long term day care? It is possible, but very difficult.

757HI

I was thinking ERAU online. At least some of his college will be directed to ground instruction which he will do anyway.

As for cost, yeas he's aware it's not cheap. "Cost" in his context is he can't quit working and fly/college full time. He must work through it.

When he gets that commuter job his daughter will be old enough for him to make arrangements for.

757HI

I suppose my question is also, how are people doing it these days?

Me, I was military jet engine mechanic, got out, full time college and flight school while I worked in a repair station, and at a Safeway, and waited tables. Three jobs, school, and flying. It's great to b young eh?

That took a whil though.

Is it better to borrow money to fast track college and flying?

Toonces

I think this is a no brainer. Unless he has an absolutely reliable family member in the area to help take care of his daughter (assuming the mother is out of the picture), he should put his ideas of being an airline pilot on hold. Being a father is far too important to chase a dream you have as a 20 year old. Dreams change, parents don't.

However, that won't stop him from being a pilot or eventually working for an airline. Going to school online (for any degree he is interested in) is a fantastic option that gets better every year. Hell, MIT offers almost every course they have online. Work through flight training at a local school on his own schedule, preferrably at least 6-8 flights per month. Ground school can be had on the cheap (some schools offer it for free). After a few years of learning, earning ratings, and likely a CFI, that will be a perfect opportunity to earn hours on the side while still making a decent middle class living as an auto mechanic. Enough time at a flight school and the doors will open.

As far as borrowing money, I would shy away from it. Borrowing some is ok, but I would refer you to an actual financial professional for real advice. Keep in mind that your debt service (car loan, mortage, credit card, student loan, etc) should really be no more than 30% of your take home pay. Even at that level you will struggle to keep a half decent credit rating, which can actually prevent you from getting a job.

757HI

Its not easy is it!! I haven't thought of how tough it is to get this career, not to mention not all who start have the aptitude to be a professional at it.

Drives me nuts to see professional pilots down play their career like its easy to do.